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  • Thread starter snoopy snoopy dog dog
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interesting prospect, was passed over for an academy contract this summer but may earn one this preseason. Still just 19 and a relative novice at the position.
 
Non-academy players involved with A team:

Prop
Marcus Hanan(U20/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere)
Harry Noonan(U20/Greystones RFC/Old Wesley)
Charlie Ward(U20/Tullow RFC/Clontarf)

Hooker
John McKee(U20/Campbell/Old Belvedere)

Lock/Blindside
David Maher(U20/Roscrea/MU Barnhall)
Cian Prendergast(U20/Newbridge/UCD)
Sean O'Brien(U20/Blackrock)

Backrow
Ronan Foley(U22/St. Marys/UCD)
Ronan Watters(U21/St. Marys/St. Marys)
Anthony Ryan(U20/Clongowes/DUFC)
Mark Hernan(U20/St. Michaels)

Scrumhalf
Cormac Foley(U21/St. Gerards/St. Marys)
Jack Connolly(U20/Gonzaga)
Ross Barron(U20/Blackrock)

Outhalf
Conor Kelly(U21/Roscrea/Clontarf)
Paddy McKenzie(U20/Wicklow RFC/Old Wesley)

Back Three
Adam La Grue(U21/Terenure/Terenure)
Rob Russell(U21/St. Michaels/DUFC)
Max O'Reilly(U20/St. Gerards/DUFC)
Andrew Smith(U20/St. Michaels)
Niall Comerford(U20/Blackrock)
 
Leinster Rugby 'A' v Scarlets 'A' – (Leinster Rugby Senior caps in brackets)

15. Hugo Keenan(U24)(5)
14. Niall Comerford(U20)
13. Gavin Mullin(U23)(2)
12. Liam Turner(U21)
11. Jack Kelly(U23)(1)
10. Harry Byrne(U21)
9. Paddy Patterson(U22)(3)
1. Michael Milne(U21)
2. Rónan Kelleher(U22)(2) CAPTAIN
3. Jack Aungier(U22)
4. Cian Prendergast(U20)
5. Oisín Dowling(U23)(4)
6. Martin Moloney(U21)
7. Mark Hernan(U20)
8. Ronan Foley(U22)

16. Dan Sheehan(U22)
17. Marcus Hannan(U20)
18. Charlie Ward(U20)
19. Ronan Watters(U21)
20. Seán O'Brien(U20)
21. Cormac Foley(U21)
22. Paddy McKenzie(U20)
23. Adam La Grue(U21)
 
No sign of the following academy players this preseason: Tommy O'Brien, Jack Dunne, Brian Deeny, Tom Clarkson, Michael Silvester or Aaron O'Sullivan.
 
Leinster Rugby 'A' v Munster Rugby 'A' (Leinster senior caps in brackets)

15. Jack Kelly (1)
14. Andrew Smith(U20)
13. Gavin Mullin (2)
12. Tommy O'Brien
11. Rob Russell
10. Harry Byrne
9. Rowan Osborne
1. Michael Milne
2. Bryan Byrne (42) CAPTAIN
3. Jack Aungier
4. Jack Dunne (5)
5. Oisín Dowling (4)
6. Sean O'Brien(U20)
7. Ronan Watters
8. Ronan Foley

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Harry Noonan(U20)
18. Tom Clarkson(U20)
19. Brian Deeny(U20)
20. David Aspil
21. Paddy Patterson (3)
22. Paddy McKenzie(U20)
23. Liam Turner
 
Leinster Rugby 'A' v Munster Rugby 'A' (Leinster senior caps in brackets)

15. Jack Kelly (1)
14. Andrew Smith(U20)
13. Gavin Mullin (2)
12. Tommy O'Brien
11. Rob Russell
10. Harry Byrne
9. Rowan Osborne
1. Michael Milne
2. Bryan Byrne (42) CAPTAIN
3. Jack Aungier
4. Jack Dunne (5)
5. Oisín Dowling (4)
6. Sean O'Brien(U20)
7. Ronan Watters
8. Ronan Foley

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan
17. Harry Noonan(U20)
18. Tom Clarkson(U20)
19. Brian Deeny(U20)
20. David Aspil
21. Paddy Patterson (3)
22. Paddy McKenzie(U20)
23. Liam Turner
Tommy O'Brien at 12 is an interesting one. He's obviously a talented player, injuries have held him back massively, I don't think anyone would have guessed that he wouldn't have made his debut yet.
 
Tommy O'Brien at 12 is an interesting one. He's obviously a talented player, injuries have held him back massively, I don't think anyone would have guessed that he wouldn't have made his debut yet.

basically missed last season with injury think he played 1 game all season and that was on the wing for the A team.

Trevor Hogan on Tommy O'Brien:

"Tommy is an inspirational lad. A fella that has been frustrated by injuries but how he goes about his business, he really is first class and when you see him and the determination and focus that he shows, he's an inspiration.

"He's looked really good in training this week, but knowing Tommy I know he will be just focused on that first touch and making sure he gets himself into the game early. But yeah, brilliant to see him back out on the pitch and I hope it goes really well for him."
 
Leinster A won 47-21

Was 40-7 and 28-0 at certain points in game.

TRIES: Andrew Smith 3, Jack Aungier, Ronan Watters, Bryan Byrne, Paddy Patterson; CONS: Harry Byrne 5, Paddy McKenzie
 
So our strongest possible team during the World cup is looking like

1. Ed Byrne
2. Tracy
3. Bent
4. Toner
5. Fardy
6. Deegan
7. Penny
8. Doris
9. JGP
10. Ross Byrne
11. Lowe
12. Conor O'Brien
13. O'Loughlin
14. Adam Byrne
15. Cian Kelleher

16. Bryan Byrne (although he could be pushing to overtake Tracy, same goes for the rest of the front row subs)
17. Dooley
18. Abdaladze
19. Molony (will be looking over his shoulder at Dunne and Baird)
20. Connors
21. O'Sullivan
22. Frawley (could see him moving back to 12/15 to let Harry Byrne feature though)
23. Dave Kearney

That's a class team, it's full of quality. It won't play though, we'll presumably see a lot of rotation. On top of that, we have guys who'll be pushing hard, of the top if my head we have:

Hooker: Kelleher (earmarked to replace Cronin as first choice, now is time for him to start pushing Travy and Byrne)
Lock: Dunne and Baird, both who have the potential to be future international starters, they don't need to be rushed though, Fardy is leaving at the end of the year and whether Toner will actually get over the injury that probably cost him his world cup place is uncertain. Either of them pushing Molony as 4th choice this year would be satisfactory.
Backrow: can't think of anyone other than the guys I've got up there but given that there are potentially three future Lions in that backrow (decent chance they won't all reach that level but they have the talent) and another decent talent in Connors, not to mention three guys in Japan and Leavy if he ever recovers from his injury, we don't really need any.

Actually now that I think of it Moloney was good for the U20s, don't know if he'll be playing senior rugby this year considering the guys ahead of him but he has a bright future.

Scrumhalf: Presumably Patterson will see some time as well, has never been our strongest position though and that doesn't look like changing in the near future.

Outhalf: Harry Byrne is seriously talented, hope he sees a lot of gametime, it'll be hard to leave his brother out though. I'd hope to see Frawley tried at 12/15 because he could be really good in those positions and being a new dimension to them, and I can see the Byrne brothers squeezing him out in the 10 stakes.

Centres: Frawley? Gavin Mullen as well. Forgetting someone probably but Reid going in going to leave a bit of a gap here

Back three: Daly, McFadden and others are options here, no shortage of options. Hope Jimmy O'Brien gets some time at fullback, but he could also be an option at 13.

With that and 14 players at the world cup, we're absolutely stacked overall.


Edit: Forgot about Tomane. Wasn't as bad as some made out last year, but O'Loughlin has done a better job of what Tomane was brought in to do. He'll he a decent option but can see him being left behind overall.
 
LH Prop(3)
Ed Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Peter Dooley(25) - Signed contract in 2018

Michael Milne(20) - Academy Yr 2

TH Prop(4)
Michael Bent(33) - Signed contract in 2018
Vakh Abdaladze(23) - Signed contact in 2018

Jack Aungier(20) - Academy Yr 3
Tom Clarkson(19) - Academy Yr1

Hooker(4)
James Tracy(28) - Signed contract in 2018
Bryan Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Ronan Kelleher(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Dan Sheehan(20) - Academy Yr 2

Lock(7)
Scott Fardy(35) - Signed 1 yr contract in 2019
Devin Toner(33) - Signed central 3yr contract in 2017
Ross Molony(25) - Signed contract in 2018

Oisin Dowling(22) - Academy Yr 3
Jack Dunne(20) - Academy Yr 2
Ryan Baird(20) - Academy Yr 2
Charlie Ryan(20) - Academy Yr1

Backrow(9)
Tony Ryan(27) - on wc trial
Josh Murphy(24) - Signed contract in 2019
Will Connors(23) - Signed contract in 2018
David Aspil(23) - wc trial
Max Deegan(22) - Signed contract in 2019
Caelan Doris(21) - Signed contract in 2018
Scott Penny(19) - Signed contract in 2019

Brian Deeny(19) - Academy Yr 1
Martin Moloney(18) - Academy Yr 1

Scrumhalf(4)
Jamie Gibson Park(27) -Signed contract in 2019
Rowan Osborne(23) - wc trial
Hugh O'Sullivan(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Patrick Patterson(20) - Academy Yr 2

Outhalf(3)
Ross Byrne(24) - Signed contract in 2017
Ciaran Frawley(21) - Signed contract in 2019

Harry Byrne(20) - Academy Yr 2

Centre(7)
Joe Tomane(29) - Signed 2 yr contract in 2018
Rory O'Loughlin(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Conor O'Brien(23) - Signed contract in 2019
Jimmy O'Brien(22) - Signed contract in 2019

Gavin Mullin(21) - Academy Yr 3
Tommy O'Brien(21) - Academy Yr 3
Liam Turner(20) - Academy Yr 1

Back Three(10)
Fergus McFadden(33) - Signed contract in 2019
Dave Kearney(30) - Signed contract in 2019
James Lowe(27) - Signed 3yr contract in 2017
Barry Daly(26) - Signed contract in 2017
Adam Byrne(25) - Signed contract in 2017
Cian Kelleher(25) - Signed contract in 2019
Hugo Keenan(23) - Signed contract in 2019
Jack Kelly(21) - on temp WC contract
 
Leinster Rugby team to face Northampton Saints:

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Fergus McFadden
13. Jimmy O'Brien
12. Joe Tomane
11. Cian Kelleher
10. Ciaran Frawley
9. Hugh O'Sullivan

1. Peter Dooley
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Michael Bent
4. Ross Molony CAPTAIN
5. Ryan Baird(Academy)
6. Max Deegan
7. Scott Penny
8. Caelan Doris

Replacements from:
Bryan Byrne
James Tracy
Michael Milne(Academy)
Roman Salanoa
Scott Fardy
Josh Murphy
Will Connors
Jamison Gibson-Park
Ross Byrne
Dave Kearney
Conor O'Brien
Rory O'Loughlin
Adam Byrne
 
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Maybe I'm seeing what I want to see but it's noticeable that Ronán Kelleher and Ryan Baird are getting a lot of gametime in preseason/ for the A team. Bodes well for each of them this season.
 
Baird obviously being fast tracked through academy, Kelleher already been fast tracked after leaving academy last season after 2nd year.

Harry Byrne wont be far behind them IMO.
 
Kelleher is worth fast tracking really, Cronin isn't getting any younger and neither Tracy or Byrne are potential long term starters. Leinster have struggled to produce hookers for a long time (our best in recent times have been from South Africa and Limerick).

Baird is clearly very highly rated, with the options we already have at lock he wouldn't be brought so fast otherwise. Making his debut last year shows that.

Three potential future lions in that backrow as well, Deegan is too good for the Pro14 now, fully expect him to make the Ireland squad for the Six Nations.

How Harry Byrne's development is handled will be interesting. He's really talented but his position (admittedly old and injury prone) club captain, an established and trusted backup in his older brother, and another talented young guy in Frawley. He's too good not to get a lot of time this year though and Cullen and Lancaster are masters at bringing young guys through so you'd imagine it'll work itself out.
 
Kelleher is worth fast tracking really, Cronin isn't getting any younger and neither Tracy or Byrne are potential long term starters. Leinster have struggled to produce hookers for a long time (our best in recent times have been from South Africa and Limerick).

Baird is clearly very highly rated, with the options we already have at lock he wouldn't be brought so fast otherwise. Making his debut last year shows that.

Three potential future lions in that backrow as well, Deegan is too good for the Pro14 now, fully expect him to make the Ireland squad for the Six Nations.

How Harry Byrne's development is handled will be interesting. He's really talented but his position (admittedly old and injury prone) club captain, an established and trusted backup in his older brother, and another talented young guy in Frawley. He's too good not to get a lot of time this year though and Cullen and Lancaster are masters at bringing young guys through so you'd imagine it'll work itself out.

Leinster would have produced a homegrown international quality hooker if David Doyle had not gotten injured and had to retire.

Since then they've struggled to produce top quality hookers due to a combination of factors. Hopefully Kelleher will make the grade, the only thing stopping him is injuries and his throwing.
 
Leinster Rugby 'A' v Ulster 'A' – Celtic Cup Round 4
(Leinster senior caps in brackets)

15. Jack Kelly(St. Michaels) (1)
14. Andrew Smith(St. Michaels) (U20)
13. Gavin Mullin(Blackrock) (2)
12. Tommy O'Brien(Blackrock)
11. Rob Russell(St. Michaels)
10. Harry Byrne(St. Michaels)
9. Rowan Osborne(Clongowes)
1. Charlie Ward(Tullow RFC)(U20)
2. Dan Sheehan(Clongowes)
3. Tom Clarkson(Blackrock)(U20)
4. Charlie Ryan(Blackrock) CAPTAIN
5. Jack Dunne(St. Michaels) (5)
6. Brian Deeny(Wexford RFC)(U20)
7. Ronan Watters(St. Marys)
8. Ronan Foley(St. Marys)

Replacements
16. Harry Noonan(Greystones RFC)(U20)
17. John McKee(Campbell)(U20)
18. Jack Aungier(Suttonians RFC)
19. Cian Prendergast(Newbridge)(U20)
20. David Aspil(High School)
21. Patrick Patterson(Blackrock) (3)
22. Tim Corkery(Kilkenny RFC)(U19)
23. Liam Turner(Blackrock)
 
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